Professor Sunny Thomas, the former national shooting coach who played a pivotal role in shaping the golden era of Indian shooting, passed away at his residence in Uzhavoor, Kerala, on Wednesday.
He was 83 and is survived by his wife Josamma and three children.
Thomas was at the helm of Indian shooting for nearly two decades (1993–2012), during which the country clinched four Olympic medals in the sport. Among the accolades was Abhinav Bindra’s historic gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics—India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold.
A mentor, guide, and father figure to generations of shooters, Thomas was honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2001. Under his guidance, Indian shooters brought home medals from events including the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Remembered as much for his teaching career as his coaching, Thomas served as the Head of the English Department at St. Stephen’s College, Uzhavoor, for nearly 30 years.
Tributes have poured in from across the country, with Bindra describing Thomas as “a mentor and foundation-builder for Indian shooting.” His funeral will take place on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in Kochi.
Thomas leaves behind a legacy that transformed Indian shooting into a powerhouse on the global stage, ensuring his contributions will be remembered for generations.
